Book Review: Think and Grow Rich, Chapter 4 - Specialized Knowledge

Education is important but does not guarantee success. At least when we’re talking about accumulation of wealth. For some just pursuing knowledge is success enough. I don’t rule that out. In a way, it doesn’t matter if you’re earning a lot with your pursued field. If it pays enough to cover your bills, food on the table, insurance and college education for your kids, then I’d say it’s okay. For me, education is a life-long journey that must be pursued. For some it might be boring and tedious, but if you love what you do, there’s no stopping you from doing the things that you must do. It’s going to fun and exciting if your heart is in it.

Here’s my realization for this chapter.

• Focus is key. Specialize on something that’s important to you, leave the trivial things to others. You don’t need to know everything, you need to know the right person who knows things and when you can get that information.

• Mastermind groups are important. Not only that you talk with like-minded people, you also get to share, contribute and get as much knowledge from them. It takes commitment though, but the benefits of this groups are way too valuable.

• Education does not end in school nor it starts there. You probably heard about people who are very successful now and yet they haven’t even finished college. Pursuing education is a life-long journey. I finished college more than a decade ago but until now I’m still attending seminars, conferences, reading books, watching videos that would help me gain more knowledge in a certain field that I’m pursuing. It’s endless and you should enjoy it. It’s not something that your parents will require you to go, it depends on your initiative.

• Organized thoughts will be realized if you pursue education on your field. If you don’t have enough concept that you read or hear about, there’s not much to organize. So learn as much, experience as much and then organize it to have a clear path of pursuit.

 

Final thoughts

Henry Ford one of the most successful entrepreneur of his time was asked with general information in a court during his trial. It was about history and trivial things, he got tired answering those questions and he was honest enough to tell them that he didn’t know those things. Then he replied that they can all put their questions together then he will have his men to answer these questions for him. He added that he was too busy accomplishing things that matter to him, his business. Same is true for all of us. We can’t possibly know everything. Someone will always be knowledgeable about certain matter. It’s not about not pursuing knowledge at all because someone will always be better but instead focus on things where you could be at the top of it. Educate, experience and ask questions about what really matters to you, be it financially, relationally, spiritually or emotionally. The choice is yours to pursue.